CommunityDevelopment Department

The Building and Safety Division provides Building Code enforcement for all construction projects located in the City of El Centro. We do this in a professional, conscientious and customer service oriented manner. We also provide courteous, professional and helpful service at the Building and Safety counter for Architects, Engineers, Developers, Contractors, property owners and the general public.

Notice to Property Owners: In order to provide property owners with more flexibility in providing shade to their homes, the City Council amended the Zoning Ordinance to allow roofed, open-sided patios in the front yard and side yard setback areas. A property owner may construct a patio within the side yard setback areas as long as 5-foot property line setback is maintained. A property owner may also construct a patio in the front yard setback area, as long as the patio does not extend more than 5 feet into the required front yard. The patio must be attached to the primary residence and cannot be enclosed as living space. This regulation does not apply to Carport construction.

Effective July 5th, it is mandatory to obtain a City permit prior to conducting a garage/yard sale. A violation of the ordinance will result in an infraction and will be enforced through the administrative citation process. The first citation will have a fine of $100. No more than four (4) permits will be issued to the same person or for the same premises within any calendar year or within 90 days of a previous permit issued to the same person or premises.

The first permit will have no cost. After the free permit, the cost of the permit is $20.

ATTENTION SOLAR CONTRACTORS:

A copy of the cost letter from IID is now required before final inspection for all small solar projects.